Buffalo Bills ignite internal overhaul: Davis, Poyer, and Hairston poised for breakout roles!
Buffalo Bills ignite internal overhaul: Davis, Poyer, and Hairston poised for breakout roles!
Buffalo Bills Ignite Internal Overhaul
The Buffalo Bills find themselves at a crossroads as they confront pressing needs within their roster. With glaring weaknesses at wide receiver (WR), cornerback (CB), and safety (S), the team is poised to look inward for potential solutions rather than relying solely on trades as the November 4 deadline looms.
Spotlight on Key Positions
In the past, the Bills have made significant moves to bolster their lineup. Last season, they acquired cornerback Rasul Douglas and wide receiver Amari Cooper, both of whom contributed during critical moments. However, the current landscape suggests that general manager Brandon Beane may face challenges in addressing all three positions through trade alone.
The most pragmatic approach appears to involve elevating talent from the practice squad and activating a promising rookie recovering from injury.
Gabe Davis: An Untapped Resource
Wide receiver Gabe Davis remains an enigma as he continues to recover from a meniscus injury sustained during the 2024 season. Currently sitting on the practice squad’s Injured Reserve, his return could provide a much-needed boost to the offense.
Davis, at just 26 years old, is known for his exceptional blocking and established rapport with quarterback Josh Allen. In his four seasons with the Bills, he averaged an impressive 16.7 yards per catch and contributed 6.7 touchdowns annually. If cleared to play, his presence on the field could significantly elevate the team’s performance, particularly in comparison to current receivers Tyrell Shavers and Elijah Moore.
Jordan Poyer: A Veteran’s Impact
Safety Jordan Poyer, now 34, has shown flashes of his capability even after being elevated from the practice squad in Week 6. During his limited time on the field, he impressed with his performance, demonstrating that he can still contribute meaningfully in both run support and coverage.
With Damar Hamlin currently on Injured Reserve, the Bills would be wise to consider signing Poyer to the 53-man roster. His experience and skill set could offer a more reliable option than the struggling Taylor Rapp, providing the defense with a much-needed stabilizing force as the season progresses.
Maxwell Hairston: The Rookie’s Chance
The Bills’ cornerback situation also hinges on rookie Maxwell Hairston, whose path to becoming a starter has been hampered by a knee injury that sidelined him for much of the offseason. While the prospect of him stepping into a starting role may seem daunting, he presents the best option for CB2 moving forward.
However, expecting Hairston to seamlessly integrate into the lineup immediately would be unrealistic. After being inactive for several weeks, he will likely require the entire 21-day activation window to regain his form before he can contribute effectively on the field.
As the Bills navigate these internal adjustments, the focus will be on maximizing their existing roster’s potential to address vulnerabilities. The development of players like Davis, Poyer, and Hairston could prove pivotal in shaping the team’s trajectory as the season unfolds.
T.J. Hockenson Doesn’t Hold Back After Vikings Lose to Eagles
The Minnesota Vikings fell to 3-3 on the 2025 NFL season after losing 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Nonetheless, a moment in the game could have given the Vikings the victory.
Bill Vinovich’s crew initially awarded T.J. Hockenson a 15-yard touchdown on third-and-2 with 2:58 remaining. Nonetheless, in the NFL, all scoring plays are automatically reviewed, and that’s when the controversy came into the picture.
Early replays showed the ball might have shifted as Hockenson hit the ground, but league rules say the call on the field stands unless video shows clear, undeniable evidence to overturn it. While speaking to the media after the loss, Hockenson was livid over the referee’s decision.
“There was nothing to overturn it,” Hockenson said postgame (h/t Kevin Seifert of ESPN). “I mean, I was out there; I felt it, hands under the ball, snag it and I don’t understand; I don’t basically understand the catch rule at this point. … I don’t understand how New York can call in and just be like, ‘Yeah, that’s not a catch,’ when there was no evidence that it wasn’t; I mean I had it; I think it’s ridiculous.
“It is what it is. Got to move on other plays. … I mean you can’t go one for six [in the red zone] and win a ball game with two turnovers. We had the [opportunity] at the end, obviously. But yeah, tough one.”
Instant Replay Exec Sounds Off on Vikings
Despite the remarks from Hockenson, the vice president of instant replay, Mark Butterworth, said that the decision to overturn the touchdown was the correct call.
“The ruling on the field was a touchdown,” Butterworth said. “So it’s replay’s jurisdiction to stop the game. We used broadcast-enhanced shots to show that as he was going to the ground — he needs control of the ball throughout the process of the catch — he lost control of the ball. The ball hit the ground. Then, he regained control of the ball. So therefore, we overturned it to an incomplete pass.”
Vikings Couldn’t Overcome Controversial Call
If the touchdown had stood and the Vikings made the extra point, they would have trailed 28-26 with all three timeouts still in hand. Earlier in the game, they had several chances to capitalize but came up short, scoring just one touchdown on six trips to the red zone.
The Vikings also turned the ball over twice, including a costly interception that Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt returned 42 yards for a touchdown. It was one of two interceptions that veteran Carson Wentz committed in the loss to Philadelphia.
Despite the two picks, Wentz did pass for 313 yards and put the team in position to find the end zone. Nonetheless, that interception that went for a touchdown was a backbreaker for Minnesota.
As a result, it will be interesting to see what the Vikings will do under center for next week, whether they stick with Wentz or hand the job back to J.J. McCarthy, who will have another week of practice to determine whether he’s 100 percent and ready for live NFL action.
